Every now and then I like to step outside of my comfort zone when it comes to gigs. The Raah Project’s show at the Perth Festival on Friday proved to me that this can only lead to good things. Theirs was a performance that was entertaining and at times nothing short of exquisite, a captivating and deft mix of jazz, soul and hip-hop.
Initially I didn’t have high hopes for the evening, after thirty-five days, Perth decided that it was time for a bit of rainfall. Now I’ve been to plenty of outdoor gigs in inclement weather, but that doesn’t exactly make you long for the experience again. But thankfully the weather cleared up by the time the band took to the stage.
Vocalist Ryan Ritchie in thanking the festival for having them stated that they wanted to do something a bit bigger, a little bolder; and based on the evening’s performance they certainly delivered. With the duo (Ritche and Tamil Rogeon) flanked on either side by a string quartet and five-piece horn section, as well as your more traditional backing of keyboard, drums and bass. All of who helped to flesh out and compliment the duo’s compositions.
The majority of the performance was scripted, with the band working from a score and sheet music. But in the spirit of Jazz, they flexed their improvisational muscles a little, with Ritchie compiling a list of ten words from the audience which he could free style with. The audience’s choices were perhaps slightly out of Ritchie’s comfort zone, with the shouted suggestion of “Cilantro” leading Rogeon to quip that you could tell they were at an Arts Festival.
However, the final product ended up being surprisingly impressive, highlighting Ritchie’s ability as a wordsmith; anyone who can create a free style rap on the spot with the words Dodecahedron, Phantasmagorical and Karrakata (the local cemetery) deserves a fair bit of respect.
Ritchie and Rogeon are both charismatic performers whether it be in conducting and leading the orchestra, or as soloists. Rogeon’s work on the violin was beautiful, whilst Ritchie proved himself to be equipped with a soulful voice and great ear for a lyric. There were many highlights throughout the performance, not least of all the bands tribute to the late poet and musical pioneer Gill Scott-Heron.
An all round brilliant performance, one that goes to show that stepping outside of your comfort zone every once and while pays off.
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